A closer walk with our beloved friend.

Tag Archives: belief

And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests], and take up his cross daily[expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me]. Luke 9:23 The Holy Bible Amplified Version

How many times have you seen children give a grandma a great big hug because she bought them something they wanted? They do not love grandma, they love the gift she has bought them.

How many folks only love Jesus because they want something from Him?

How many are willing to suffer for Him and because of Him?

Look around you and think of what is near and dear to your heart. Would you put it on the alter and sacrifice it to Christ (if it is someone or a pet, please do not physically sacrifice it)? By that, I mean would you give it up in order to become a servant of the most high King? So we will say you are living in a nice home in a nice neighborhood, if Christ called upon you to sell the house, give the money to a charity of His choosing and live in a ghetto, would you do it?

Yes, He has called upon servants to make such a sacrifice, including me.

Would you be obedient unto His commands?

If not, then you are not a true Christian but a marshmallow one. Think of the one you love the most.

If becoming a true Christian meant that they would hate you and disown you, would you sacrifice that relationship for Christ? That means you will never see them or speak to them for the rest of your life. Yes, He has called upon servants to make such a sacrifice, I have witnessed it numerous times in Asia.

“Jesus hath many lovers of His heavenly Kingdom, but few bearers of His Cross. He hath many desirous of consolation, but few of tribulation. Many love Jesus so long as no adversities befall them.” — Thomas à Kempis

Prayer: Thank you for the privilege of enduring numerous trials and tribulations in my relationship with You Jesus Pyyrand (Jesus my best friend). It has blessed me with coming into and ever deeper everlasting loving relationship with You my best friend because of these sufferings. I exalt You in Your wonderful name. Amen.

May the sunshine of Jesus’ sweet love fill your heart today and every day. Joseph a son of Jehovah

Focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith [the first incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith to maturity], who for the joy [of accomplishing the goal] set before Him endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God [revealing His deity, His authority, and the completion of His work]. Hebrews 12:2The Holy Bible Amplified Version

Jesus demonstrated His love for us at a high cost. Knowing and understanding this should create an awe and deep love for Him. Yes we are to exhibit towards Him by understanding, however He requires that we pass along His style of love towards others as an act of worship towards Him.

Love is an action not an emotion. Joseph a son of Jehovah

We accomplish this in our attitude towards others by not being arrogant nor abusive towards them but rather by being caring and respectful.

We serve Jehovah by serving with in our community. We need not be a missionary in some foreign land when there are ample opportunities all around us every day.

Of course we require knowledge of how to serve, when to serve and where to serve. Doing this on our own will only lead to disaster. We need the supreme teacher to instruct us in the way to accomplish the deeds Jehovah has prepared for us to do.

Now there is no sense in teaching someone to fish if they will never us those skills or go fishing in the first place. When the Holy Spirit enlightens us we are to be obedient and put into practice that which He has indoctrinated into us.

“The knowledge of Christ’s love for us should cause us to love Him in such a way that it is demonstrated in our attitude, conduct, and commitment to serve God. Spiritual maturity is marked by spiritual knowledge being put into action.” Edward Bedore

Prayer:I humbly ask of You Holy Spirit my master teacher to constantly instill in this child of the most Divine Love appropriate words, actions and thoughts of love which will exhibit my appreciation for such and wonderful gift He has blessed me with. I sincerely request this in the name of He who showed us Your Divine love when He walked amongst us Jesus Christ. Amen

May your house be filled with joy in the morning and sweet dreams at night. May it be a home where love has come to live. Joseph a son of Jehovah

They were shaken because He was indignant andangry. Psalm 18:7The Holy Bible Amplified Version

Many times in our walk with Christ we have the wrong foundations. Because of this our house is unstable and pron to destruction when affliction, trials, trouble and sorrows come unto us.

In order to prevent this from happening Jehovah must tear down those foundations.

Working in construction building houses I learned that everything must be lined up in building the foundation. If it does not the house is faulty and pron to demolishing when storms hit. That is why most houses built about a hundred years ago are still solid while new houses have so much problems. Those a hundred years ago built the houses to last so they took extra care in how they were built. Many today just slap houses together as cheaply as they can get away with to make profit. When they storms hit we see the end results of who was the better builder.

Jesus is the builder of our house (our spirits) and will not allow faulty construction of it. When we start to stray from the masters architects plans He shakes the house to reconstruct it.

He has shook many of my foundational beliefs to get rid of them because they were hampering my walk with Him. I praise Him for doing it.

“We turn to God for help when our foundations are shaking only to learn that it is God shaking them.” — Charles West

Prayer: Thank you Jehovah Kanna (The Lord is Jealous) for being so jealous as to never allow another architect to alter the plans You have for this child’s building You so loving built. Thank you for destroying any layers which will cause this building to collapse into complete and total destruction. I praise You in the name of the master builder Jesus Christ. Amen

May the sunshine of Jesus’ sweet love fill your heart today and every day. Joseph a son of Jehovah

“Indeed, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested and chosen you in the furnace of affliction. Isaiah 48:10 The Holy Bible Amplified Version

He loves you too much to allow it to grow.

That is why Jehovah refines us in the furnace of affliction. When there are (and there always is) ungodly behavior, belief or dispositions in a Christians life.

Jehovah first bring it to His child’s attention and inform them of the way to correct this disease.

When the child stubbornly refuse to obey our Heavenly Father, then He brings afflictions to them to encourage them to reform their ways.

The longer the child refuses the Fathers disciple, the stronger the discipline becomes until it crushes the disobedience in the child. It is not pleasant but it is what is best for us in the walk to Heaven.

I have been through it and every Christian will go through it as well. Sometimes we learn quick, sometimes (like me) we learn slow so we endure a lot of afflictions until the lesson of obedience is learned in every aspect of our life.

“Labour to grow better under all your afflictions, lest your afflictions grow worse, lest God mingle them with more darkness, bitterness and terror.” — John Owen

Prayer: Thank you Jehovah Bara (The Lord Creator) for patiently creating this child of Yours into a obedient, loving child through many afflictions when I was a stubborn and obstinate child. I pray I never have to hurt Your precious heart by forcing You to discipline me in such a manner every again because I love You so much. I exalt You in the name of He who disciplines those He loves so dearly Jesus Christ. Amen.

Wishing you a house full of sunshine, hearts full of cheer and love that grows deeper each day of the year. Welsh blessing

For ever since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through His workmanship [all His creation, the wonderful things that He has made], so that they [who fail to believe and trust in Him] are without excuse andwithout defense. Romans 1:20 The Holy Bible Amplified Version

Have you ever seen anyone that has been touched by Jehovah?

I have.

I have seen drunkards become sober and never touch a drop again. Everything else they attempted to smash the chains of their addiction failed miserably, especially the politically correct that says if you just try hard enough you will succeed. Only Christs power freed them from this horrible slavery. The same can be said of other addictions as well.

I have seen those who were selfish and self centered become very loving, sharing and caring children of Jehovah. Nothing but Christs love could accomplish such a feat.

I have seen shy timid folks become roaring lions for Christ with Divine power and and confidence that astounds those that knew them previously. Nothing but Jehovahs power could accomplish such an impossible feat.

I have seen those that cursed and mocked Jehovahs word now preach it with wisdom and authority that amazes those that knew them previously. Nothing but Jehovahs wisdom could succeed in this inconceivable marvel.

“I believe in God like I believe in the sun rise. Not because I can see it, but because I can see all that it touches.” — C. S. Lewis

Prayer: Thank you Jehovah-Shammah ( The Lord is Present) for the numerous ways in which You have touched me in so many aspects of my life. In the way You burned off the dross and the ways in which You have molded me with expert hands. I exalt You in the name of the best potter ever Jesus Christ. Amen

May your house be filled with joy in the morning and sweet dreams at night. May it be a home where love has come to live. Joseph a son of Jehovah

Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. John 15:20 New International Version

Two words that are oxy morons: Christian and non-suffering.

Many people today have the false belief that when they give their lives to Christ it will be a cake walk and a bed of roses.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

When you commit your live to Christ you can expect to be persecuted.

Many times the worst persecution will come from your family. They will see the change in you and not like it. They will fight you to walk away from Christ. Most times this will mean you must walk away from family. It will be painful.

The same goes for friends. They will be confused as to why you have changes and will viciously mock you because of the change in your life. It will not be pleasant.

You can expect to be treated like a geek at school and work. You can expect people to go out of their way to make your life miserable.

But take heart. We have a savior who has walked that path before you so will comfort you and encourage you.

For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. 2 Corinthians 1:5 New International Version

I know, I have been there. I have had to walk away from family and friends and it was very painful.

I have been in jobs where I felt like I was the only person in the world because no one would talk with me because I was not dishonest. When that happens in a bush camp it can be very lonely.

In my agony I cried out to Jehovah and He sent the Holy Spirit who comforted, strengthened and encouraged me.

Prayer: Thank you Jehovah Yahweh (God of His people) for comforting and encouraging me during my times of persecution for our relationship. I consider it an honor to suffer for Your awesome name. I give thanks in the name of He who suffered all the way to the cross for me Jesus Christ. Amen

May the sweet sunshine of Jesus’ precious love bless you today and every day.

Pure and unblemished religion [as it is expressed in outward acts] in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit andlook after the fatherless and the widows in their distress, and to keep oneself uncontaminated by the [secular] world. James 1:27The Holy Bible, Amplified Version

Religion is described as a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.

A principle of the heart; in my love for Jehovah and my fellow man

An element of the character of Christ residing with in me;

The habit of thinking, feeling, and acting according to the statutes of Jehovah in all my social relations;

The basis of every virtue which emulates the righteousness of Christs character ;

The main prop of every preforming with all of my mind, body and spirit to excel in service unto our Heavenly King ;

The fear – not just the punishment for the wicked in His terrible justice but to have constant respect and awe of Him but of the Lord, by which men depart from evil;

Faith which means trust working by love to accomplish with total zest all the tasks my Beloved Heavenly Father assigns for me to do;

Such a belief in the gospel of Christ, as leads to a conformity to His example in every aspect of my daily life.

True religion, though founded on a belief of doctrines, and nourished by the exercises of devotion—diffuses its influence over the entire character of man to make him Holy as Christ is holy.

True religion is the belief in Jesus Christ, the love of Jesus Christ, the worship of Jesus Christ, and the imitation of Jesus Christ.

True religion is sound morality, animated and sanctified by the Holy Spirit of true devotion to Christ in all of my deeds and words.

True religion prescribes, not only homage to God, but allows Him dominion into every part of my daily life..

It is all or nothing with Jesus. Either you belong totally to Him or you belong to satan. Joseph a son of Jehovah

Prayer: Please Jehovah Emet (God of truth) continuously expand Thy Divine truth in my spirit and mind of the proper manner in which to daily, moment by moment focus on devoting myself to Your Supreme religion. I meekly request this in the name of He whose every aspect of His earthly journey focused on showing us the proper manner in which to have Your religion supreme in our lives Jesus Christ. Amen

May Gods sunshine always bless you with brightening your day with His love, joy and peace. Joseph a son of Jehovah

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After faithfully serving the Lord in China for ten years as a teacher I have been called home to care for my aged mother who has numerous disabilities.
As well I regularly do volunteer work visiting seniors in a seniors home.
I love being in nature. I say the closer we get to nature the more we see Jehovah. We are blessed in this area with many amazing, easy to ride bicycle trails on old railroad lines that takes us all over Southern Ontario.